11 Aug 04
In the United States, two adults currently have the right to live
together. Some choose to seek official government approval
to do this, in the form of a marriage license.
What motivates a couple to get a marriage license?
What motivates the government to offer them?
If driver's licenses were optional, would you get one?
Dr. Cribs
11 Aug 04
Originally posted by CribsPeople get married because that is the prevailing custom. Societal expectations push most people in that direction.
In the United States, two adults currently have the right to live
together. Some choose to seek official government approval
to do this, in the form of a marriage license.
What motivates a couple to get a marriage license?
What motivates the government to offer them?
If driver's licenses were optional, would you get one?
Dr. Cribs
I don't know how governments came to be involved in the marraige business.
A driver's license IS optional. Nobody has to get one. I don't think my grandmother has one, but I'm not sure. Unfortunately, we'll never have public transportation in the motor capital of the world, so while I would like to be free from the burden of having to own a car, it's a necissity that isn't likely to go away any time soon.
11 Aug 04
5 edits
Originally posted by rwingettHere's what I mean. I currently live with my fiancee,
I've never been married. I don't know the legalities behind it. Is the state the only one who can issue a marraige license? Or are you talking about common law marraiges?
and I have for almost two years. We could simply continue
to do this for our entire lives, and the government would
never step in and say, "Hey Cribs, sometime you're going
to have to make it official." We could also have a private
ceremony to make a lifelong commitment to each
other before our family and friends.
The curiosity is the marriage license. Why does the government
offer these when, in effect, people can live as if they were
married without one.
Is it simply a bookkeeping convenience for probate court?
What is the government getting out of the deal?
Dr. Cribs
11 Aug 04
Originally posted by CribsNot sure I'm following you Cribs. And "optional prerequisite". A prerequisite means it's required, so it can't be optional. Right? Or am I completely lost on that one?
Allow me restate my third question:
If a driver's license were an optional prerequisite
for driving on public roads, would you get one, given
that you will drive on public roads?
But as for a drivers license - I actually think a license to drive should be required as it is now in the U.S (except for some farm equipment I think?). And I think a heck of a lot more training should go into teaching people to drive. We're averaging, I think, about 40,000 deaths per year in the US due to automobile accidents. That's not including the number injured obviously.
So on the highways over the last 15 years we've killed pretty much the whole population of North Dakota...
P.S. I like North Dakota. Just using it as a reference that's all...Seriously. Just a reference point...
11 Aug 04
Originally posted by CribsBecause a legal marraige would entitle you to the legal benefits of marraige, I assume. Tax benefits, divorce protection, etc. I'm not really qualified to say much on this topic, though.
Here's what I mean. I currently live with my fiancee,
and I have for almost two years. We could simply continue
to do this for our entire lives, and the government would
never step in and say, "Hey Cribs, sometime you're going
to have to make it official." We could also have a private
ceremony to show make a lifelong commitment to each
other befor ...[text shortened]... ing convenience for probate court?
What is the government getting out of the deal?
Dr. Cribs
11 Aug 04
2 edits
Originally posted by rwingettWhat I'm driving at is that the government doesn't
Because a legal marraige would entitle you to the legal benefits of marraige, I assume. Tax benefits, divorce protection, etc. I'm not really qualified to say much on this topic, though.
just give things away. If it is giving married people
all of these benefits, it must be getting something
in return. The point of this entire thread is to
answer that question.
What does the government get out of marriage?
And secondarily, why do couples feel such a strong
need to have their marriage acknowledged by
government?
Dr. Cribs
11 Aug 04
Originally posted by wibI hereby withdraw my driver's license analogy.
Not sure I'm following you Cribs. And "optional prerequisite". A prerequisite means it's required, so it can't be optional. Right? Or am I completely lost on that one?
But as for a drivers license - I actually think a license to drive should be required as it is now in the U.S (except for some farm equipment I think?). And I think a heck of a lot m ...[text shortened]... North Dakota. Just using it as a reference that's all...Seriously. Just a reference point...
Nobody seems to understand the point of it,
with respect to marriage licenses.
Dr. Cribs
11 Aug 04
Originally posted by rwingettVirginia actually does have a common law marriage. If a man and woman live together for 7 years, in the same state (Virginia obviously), and are having sexual relations, the state entitles both parties to the benefits of marriage. So if one party leaves the other high and dry she, or he, could sue for alimony. Depending upon their finaical situation of course.
I've never been married. I don't know the legalities behind it. Is the state the only one who can issue a marraige license? Or are you talking about common law marraiges?
Warning: I'm not a lawyer and I really don't know squat about marriage laws, but my current wife and I lived together for 9 years before we got married. So I did a little research at the time... Yes, 9 years. So I'm a little cautious. No sense in jumping into something without testing the waters for awhile ya know? :-)
11 Aug 04
Originally posted by CribsOther than the court fees from the impending split and fight from the couple... I don't know cribs. I suppose they're getting something out of it. Then again maybe it's a form of incentive to get married. The state likes married folks ya know. Especially the republicans here in ol Virginny.
And how does the state benefit? They must in some way,
or else they would not go to all the trouble of having common
law recognition and process.
Dr. Cribs
So maybe it's an incentive based morality law? Get married, or stay together so long the state will say you're married anyway. So you may as well get married.
Unless the couple is gay of course. :-)
11 Aug 04
Originally posted by CribsWell it used to put people in a higher tax bracket, but that's been lowered recently. I suppose it also increases the chance of home ownership (good for the economy?), offspring, stability in terms of jobs and careers... Once you get married you may as well buy a house right? And then after the house you got it fill it up with stuff. Then you gotta fill it with some little people, then ya gotta buy another car, then you've got the schools, and bake sales and soccer practice and band practice and the PTA meetings and oh my freaking GOD!
Now we're getting closer...
Why do you suppose the state prefers married couples to
non-married couples? Why would they want to give an
incentive for marriage?
Ok, that's enough of that.